MochaDun
Well-Known Member
Not that all the posts about fat horses have got me worried (well no more worried than I usually am!) but I have to weight-watch my pony all year round and situation being managed as best I can. He's a native bit of a Heinz 57 variety, quite a lot of bone.
I assume my horse is fit-ish, because I've ridden him 6 days a week across the summer, that goes down to about 2-3 times in the winter. On hacks we get trotting in up hills etc but I would like to increase my canter work in fields if I can a bit this winter. He's schooled about once a week and has a fortnightly hour long lesson.
As I still want to get some kgs off as he's put on a few to lay down fat for the winter, how should I build up this canter work? As I'm worried about if I just go blasting about I'll put extra strain on legs, heart, lungs, etc, especially when he's got a very thick winter coat (being clipped shortly).
Is it a case of walk, trot, lateral work in the field which is our normal warming up schooling procedure and start with say a short canter down one side of the field and then next time extend the distance do 2 sides etc? Or do you build up canter work as time, eg, 10 mins one day and then increase? We obviously do canter work in the school already but he's much more nimble out cantering in fields as it's more fun. I just don't want to do too much in fields too soon but want to make the most of it as a fittening process. Thanks for getting this far...I've droned on a bit..
PS - If I don't reply til this evening to all your wonderful responses it's not that I'm ignoring you (see Forum Peeves post) I'm just not around much today! Having said that I may not get any responses at all (another Forum Peeve for some I understand)
I assume my horse is fit-ish, because I've ridden him 6 days a week across the summer, that goes down to about 2-3 times in the winter. On hacks we get trotting in up hills etc but I would like to increase my canter work in fields if I can a bit this winter. He's schooled about once a week and has a fortnightly hour long lesson.
As I still want to get some kgs off as he's put on a few to lay down fat for the winter, how should I build up this canter work? As I'm worried about if I just go blasting about I'll put extra strain on legs, heart, lungs, etc, especially when he's got a very thick winter coat (being clipped shortly).
Is it a case of walk, trot, lateral work in the field which is our normal warming up schooling procedure and start with say a short canter down one side of the field and then next time extend the distance do 2 sides etc? Or do you build up canter work as time, eg, 10 mins one day and then increase? We obviously do canter work in the school already but he's much more nimble out cantering in fields as it's more fun. I just don't want to do too much in fields too soon but want to make the most of it as a fittening process. Thanks for getting this far...I've droned on a bit..
PS - If I don't reply til this evening to all your wonderful responses it's not that I'm ignoring you (see Forum Peeves post) I'm just not around much today! Having said that I may not get any responses at all (another Forum Peeve for some I understand)
